Ethan sat up slowly, his body still trembling from the adrenaline rush. He scanned the clearing, making sure the creature hadn't returned. The forest had gone silent again, and the oppressive feeling of being hunted had lifted. Yet, his heart still pounded, not from fear, but from the sheer absurdity of what had just happened. The glowing words were still hovering in front of him, a constant reminder that something extraordinary had been set in motion.
He glanced at the wristband, which now hummed with a faint blue glow. It wasn't just a relic or a piece of alien technology—it was something far more dangerous and powerful.
"What is this thing?" Ethan muttered, rubbing his fingers over the smooth surface of the wristband. It felt cold to the touch, despite its glowing warmth. As he traced the intricate symbols engraved into it, the interface flickered to life again.
[Welcome, User.]
[System unlocked: Level-Up Interface.]
Ethan's breath hitched. He had been thrown into this so quickly, he hadn't had a moment to understand what was happening. Now, the words were offering him an explanation—or at least a starting point.
The interface shifted again.
[Menu Options:]
1. Stats
2. Abilities
3. Inventory
4. Quests
He raised an eyebrow. This felt like a game interface, but the weight of reality made it all too clear that this was no game. With cautious curiosity, he mentally selected Stats. The glowing words rearranged themselves into something more familiar, showing his updated statistics.
[Ethan:]
Level: 2
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Intelligence: 6
Endurance: 5
Mana: 0
"Level 2?" Ethan marveled. In just one frantic escape, he had leveled up. He didn't feel dramatically different, but the system clearly said otherwise. His agility had increased during his dash through the forest, and he had unlocked a new ability.
His eyes drifted down to the Abilities section, and he mentally clicked it.
[Abilities:]
1. Quick Dash – Temporarily boosts speed for a short burst.
2. (Locked)
So, he had one ability, and apparently more to unlock. The idea of gaining new skills sent a thrill down his spine, but there was still so much he didn't understand. He could feel it—this was just the beginning.
Without warning, the words shifted again.
[New quest available: Explore the limits of your abilities.]
Objective: Test Quick Dash.
Reward: +1 Strength, New Ability Unlock.
Ethan hesitated for a moment. How was he supposed to test this "ability"? Did it activate on its own, or did he need to trigger it? With nothing to lose, he stood up, glancing around the clearing. His eyes fell on a thick tree a few yards away. It was as good a target as any.
"Quick Dash," he muttered, focusing on the words as if willing them to activate. At first, nothing happened. But then, a strange energy began to build up inside him, like the winding tension of a spring. Before he could react, his legs burst into motion. His speed doubled, tripled even, and in an instant, he found himself slamming into the tree before he had time to stop.
"Ow!" Ethan stumbled back, clutching his shoulder. "Okay, that was fast."
He had moved with the speed of a sprinter in just a heartbeat. It was as if the laws of physics had bent around him for those brief moments, allowing him to cover ground faster than humanly possible. The rush was exhilarating, but the lack of control was a problem. Still, the system acknowledged his effort.
[Quest completed: Explore the limits of your abilities.]
[Reward: +1 Strength, New Ability Unlock.]
Ethan felt a strange warmth wash over him again as his muscles seemed to tighten, strengthening. The display shifted once more.
[Strength increased: +1]
[New ability unlocked: Power Strike – Enhances the force of a single attack.]
He couldn't help but grin. The system was working, rewarding him for pushing his limits. He was growing stronger by the minute. It felt like he had entered a game world, except the stakes were real—and so was the power he was gaining.
Suddenly, the interface flashed again, this time with more urgency.
[Incoming danger detected...]
Ethan froze, scanning the forest. His heart raced again as the familiar sense of being hunted returned. He could feel it—the same presence as before, lurking just beyond the trees. The interface flickered with more information:
[Warning: Hostile entity approaching.]
He didn't have time to think. His body reacted on instinct, driven by the system's warnings. Using Quick Dash, he sprinted back toward the dense forest. His mind raced as fast as his feet. Whatever had been chasing him before was back, and it wasn't going to let up this time.
His breath came in ragged gasps as he dashed through the woods, his feet finding traction where he hadn't expected it. His stamina held, enhanced by the system, but the creature was fast—too fast. He could feel it gaining on him.
In a split-second decision, Ethan veered toward a rock formation, his eyes scanning for something—anything—he could use to defend himself. His new ability, Power Strike, flickered in his mind. He didn't know how to use it yet, but he didn't have a choice.
The creature lunged at him from the shadows, claws glinting in the moonlight. Ethan spun around, his fist clenched, and summoned every ounce of strength the system had given him. With a roar, he swung.
Power Strike activated.
His fist collided with the creature's chest, sending a shockwave through the air. The force of the blow knocked it back, howling in pain as it tumbled into the underbrush. Ethan's entire arm trembled from the impact, but the creature was down.
Panting, he backed away slowly, watching as the beast slunk back into the shadows, its glowing eyes fading into the night. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had survived—again.
The interface blinked.
[Hostile neutralized.]
[+2 Experience gained.]
[Level up: Level 3.]
Ethan exhaled, leaning against a nearby tree, his entire body shaking. He had unlocked the game—and now he knew what kind of danger it held.
But the power... the power was real. And something told him this was only the beginning.